Work place related: Is this a millennial thing? UPDATE in original post!

How would you handle this situation at work? Is this a millennial thing?

I am transitioning a task to one of my associates (she's 25) that she is going to take over when I'm on my maternity leave in two months (for now, she's doing the task and I'm reviewing it). I sent her an email saying it's ready for her and she said sorry, I don't have time this month--meanwhile, she's not even billing 40 hours a week (we are expected to put in anywhere from 40-60 hours a week, we work late night and weekends if we have work to do). It's not an optional task---it's part of the job. She is basically throwing it back to me.

She wants to get promoted this year and without threatening her, I don't know what to do. I have said repeatedly that it is not an optional task and she still says she is so sorry, she just can't do it this month.

Meanwhile, I worked until 11pm last night and if I'm taking on her task, it's going to be like this all week.

Seriously, is this a millennial thing? How would YOU handle it? My boss told me it's unacceptable for her to say no but I don't know how to force someone to do something--I've never HAD to do that. I am worrying it's making me look bad as a supervisor if I can't get her to do the task.

Update: Guess who sent me an email that she was able to "rearrange her schedule" and now will have time to do this task? Yep! She said she needs an extension and that's fine (I even offered that in an earlier email). I told my boss and she thinks she may have discussed with other people and decided this was in her best interest to do this work. Though I'm not happy with the way we got here, I'm glad that she came around eventually.

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions! I'm sure this situation isn't completely over but for now, I have a positive resolution.

Message edited 1/12/2016 2:18:08 PM.

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

Yep, they don't have the time but seem to always find time to walk around and talk, go the bathroom for extended periods of time, talk on the phone all day. BTDT.

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

i would just send her an email saying it MUST be done by such and such date.
then offer help with prioritizing and time management if she's feeling overwhelmed.

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

Is it a part of her job description?
Along with the above, if it is part of her job description then maybe remind her that this may be brought up in her performance review.

Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

I would just continue to email her, sort of CYA, to show you've done your part, so when it comes crashing down, she's taking the hit, not you. Save all the emails.

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

As her supervisor I would find out why she cannot complete the task. Does she have other work that is taking up too much of her time?

If her reasoning is unacceptable I would them tell her she's responsible for xyz. She may think she's only responsible for your task while you are on maternity leave. Since you aren't on maternity leave, she may be thinking this is still your work and she's just training to take it over later. (If that makes any sense)

Message edited 1/12/2016 10:28:46 AM.

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

Maybe write her back with some guidelines as to when and how to reject work becauase one is "too busy" at your firm. Tie the "busy" standard back to productivity and hours billed. Suggest an audit of how she is billing and using her time and what she is getting done to help her figure out what she truly is too busy for and when she should be saying that to supervisors.

CC the bigwigs on that.

It'll get done.

Some people just need to be given firm standards and accountability--and a chance to see on paper where and how they have been falling short to become fearful enough to get to work.

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

I agree with what the others suggested about documenting everything.

You're in a field where everyone works long hours, right? Is it possible that she needs that spelled out for her? It could be said in a nice, conversational way, like you are trying to help her.

"I know the workload is crazy but that is sort of how it is in this field/firm. You will need to maintain X amount of hours. Is that something you think you can do?"

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

I would just send another emailed that is CCed to ALL of her higher ups (like your boss and others) and once again just reiterate how the work is ready for her to pick up/do and when it needs to be done by. If she doesn't complete it... it is on her... she needs to take the fall for it. they want her to do it, she needs to do it, she is basically asking to be fired or punished for it in my opinion.

Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

I would send an email and cc her supervisors stating something along the lines of "I'm sorry if you were under the impression this is an optional task. If you cannot manage the time to take this over, I will delegate the task to xxxx (insert someones name)

Yes it is a millennial thing. It blows my mind what some of my younger colleagues here do and what they think they are entitled too.

Message edited 1/12/2016 10:56:10 AM.

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

ITA with the pp's... send an email, copy supervisors, explaining that it is not an optional task. Save your emails to bring it up when her annual review comes around.

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

Posted by DaniJude

Posted by racheK

Posted by JennP

I agree with what the others suggested about documenting everything.

You're in a field where everyone works long hours, right? Is it possible that she needs that spelled out for her? It could be said in a nice, conversational way, like you are trying to help her.

"I know the workload is crazy but that is sort of how it is in this field/firm. You will need to maintain X amount of hours. Is that something you think you can do?"

The email I wrote (to which she responded that she's sorry, she just doesn't have time included the following):

I understand you are busy as many people are. Nevertheless in addition to your billable client work, we are all expected to also take on non-billable work—even if it means completing those tasks at night, on weekends, etc. While I understand there will be rare exceptions, unless you anticipate working throughout the entire weekend and very late nights, in which case your billable hours will reflect that, this is something you will need to balance and make time for.

Wow. she's doing the "playing dumb" and just saying the same thing over and over routine. That is so disrespectful to you as her supervisor!!!

Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

I would honestly just tell her at his point that her review will reflect her lack of ability to properly manage her time.

I suppose I'm a millennial, I'm 29, but never in a million years would I tell my boss I can't do something.

Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

Wow, this is insanity to me. At this point, I think I'd have a convo with her and let her know that it's not an option to say she's too busy. It HAS to get done BY HER.
Gosh, I can't even imagine saying no to someone when they're asking me to do my job. Unreal.

Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

I work in professional services too and their is no such thing as a 40 hour work week. Your job is serve clients and do work / tasks which have deadlines. That's life.

First, I don't think you should tell her anything if she is not your direct report. Why get into a potential HR pickle.....I think you need to copy that email she sent to you to her direct performance manager and suggest they discuss (with you or with out you) how to ensure so-so can complete this task, this month. If her PM agrees that she is unable to do it, for whatever reason, then it needs to be reassigned. Her direct manager should be able to pull up her billables and have insight into whatever else she is working on. It is this person's job to manage her. If she chooses not to put in the extra time then it needs to be documented and put in her promotion / employment case.


And the millennial comment, kind of irks me. I am technically a millennial, albeit on the cusp, but I never say no and I work with plenty of younger folks on my team who report to me and are truly hard workers...Honestly there are just as many Gen X and Gen Y slackers out there too so let's not put an entire generation in a box...I manage many gen x and gen y people who suck badly, maybe even more than the millennials I manage. But anyway that is neither here nor there, I just feel like the millennial argument is so lame.

Message edited 1/12/2016 11:27:19 AM.

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?

Oh my! I think if I said I don't have time for something, my boss would say , Why not.?" Not in a bitchy way, but just to make sure I am prioritizing & if there is anything else I am spending time on that is not as important. I guess it is harder to say "why not" when she is taking on work from multiple people, but you could tell her that you spoke to her other supervisors & they don't see a problem with her taking on this project, and perhaps you should have a meeting to discuss prioritizing.


I don't think it is too late to put your foot down.

you asked nicely already- time for a new tactic.

If it is an option to give it to someone else, definitely let her her know that since she is too bus to do it this month, she has lost her opportunity to take on this non-billable project, which as she may recall from her previous review, is something she is supposed to be working on.

I know you don't want to be mean, but I have worked with someone who is too nice of a manager and it does affect other people, because the people under her aren't pulling their own weight.

I don't want to lump a whole generation together, but I have seen similar behavior- where a 25 year old with 2 years experience will pass work on to an intern who was hired for something else, just so she doesn't have to stay 5 minutes late.

Message edited 1/12/2016 11:13:43 PM.

Re: Work place related: Is this a millennial thing?